[Nexus] The Black Dragon's Den XI

[Artemis97]

This old warehouse by the docks and on the edge of the city slums has numerous secret passageways and tunnels leading to it. When you walk in, either from the street or below, you see a freshly cleaned interior that actually looks somewhat welcoming, however, as a seedy hive of smugglers, pirates, and home of the local wererat assassin guild; this is a rough place to have a drink.

The back half of the building has been converted into a set of rooms, used by those who need a bit of privacy, whether to have a private card game, hold a secret meeting, or just to get away from the world while enjoying a dose of some of the more exotic items the Den serves. We don't care what you do here, just don't leave a mess. Just keep in mind, the walls are a little thin back there, and can be listened through (or busted through), so be careful.

The gambling scene is lively here, with craps, three-dragon ante, and darts, among other things. There are certainly not knife-fights held in the ring in the basement. Come early for a ringside seat. Gambling is permitted. Anyone caught betting against themselves will be killed, or worse. So don't do it.

The servers are all NPC goblins. They are: Blackeye, Hooktooth, and Daggernose.
The cook is a goblin woman named Sicklewort.
The NPC bouncer is Gnarl, the orc.

Floorplan:

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The menu is as follows:

Drinks

Common Drinks
All the common drinks are available in an extremely wide range of qualities, brands, and prices. Just remember- you pay for what you get.

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Absinthe
Ale
Beer
Brandy
Coffee
Hard Cider
Kumis (Fermented milk)
Mead
Rum
Tea
Tequila
Vodka
Whiskey
Wine

Specialty Drinks
The specialty drinks are either crafted here or ordered specially from other sources. Normally they are higher class and more palatable, but that is not always the case...

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Black Shadow-
A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Damned Soul Nectar-
Yummy. Damned souls. Perfect for demons, devils, or anyone else lacking a conscience.
Devil Brew-
It tastes good, though drinking it will gradually corrupt your soul to evil.
Drow Spiderblood Wine-
A specialty drow wine with a strong bite, and a hint of spider venom. Alcohol isn't the only thing you have to worry about when drinking it... but it does taste good.
Firewine-
This wine is created in a way that literally leaves the top simmering and flaming. Only recommended to those who have a good fire resistance. However, it is extremely warm and has a fairly sweet taste.
Frenzywater-
You want to know what it is like to see red? Frenzywater will having you raging like a barbarian.
Goblin Thudrud Beer-
A favorite of goblins... but described by others as smelling like a rotten, flaming cow.
Hearth Brew Mead
This is a sweet mead with raspberries, rhubarb and some kind of ingredient that makes you feel warm when you drink it.
Ichor Liquor-
A mixture of blood and alcohol made especially for our vampiric friends. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or specially heated to 98.6 F.
Liquid Agony-
A drink brewed and distilled from the agony of victims, and quite sweet and tasty, but very addictive.
Mindflayer Mead-
A special brew for those squid-headed fellows. Also appropriate for Zombies, or anyoen else who likes the taste of brains.
Mushroom Wine
An Underdark drink fermented from mushrooms. It has a good deal of sugar added to it and tastes sweet, but may cause hallucinations...
Orc Kragg Liquor-
Strong. Disgusting. Manly.
Poisonbite Cocktail-
This brew is mixed of several poisons and rum. It induces extreme euphoria, and will drain the drinker's strength and mental capacities for a day or so.
Rat Mead-
This foul concoction is meant more for drinking games, and less for taste. You'll need a strong stomach to keep it down.

Other

Food
Like the drinks, the food ranges in quality and price... the menu is currently under improvement.

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Bread-
Crusty, burnt, soggy, or rotten. It's not your choice. A better bakery is "under construction" in the back. Thanks to a newly built brick oven, the bread is actually quite good now, baked fresh daily.
Dragon Steak-
This tender, extremely tasty steak is excellently prepared, but its source is undisclosed...
Fish of the Day-
The catch of the day, or yesterday... be sure to specify "fresh."
Puffer fish liver-
Tetrodotoxin, anyone? Extreme poison is ahead.
Soup-
Most common soups are available, but pay for what you want, or you'll get something else. Served in a bread bowl.

Mushrooms
Our mushrooms are well acclaimed for their taste and subtle poisons. If you have enemies, make sure they you didn't get something other than what you asked for...

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Amanita-
A hallucinogenic mushroom that is fairly toxic. May cause nausea, sensory distortions, mood changes, and loss of equilibrium. Retrograde amnesia frequently results following recovery. Serious poisonings cause delirium, seizures, or comas.
Chanterelle-
An edible but unremarkable mushroom. Available pickled or dried.
Lorchel-
Also known as false morels (due to similarity in appearance), eating these raw results in extreme liver failure or death. Properly prepared, however, they are quite delicious. Available both raw and parboiled (properly prepared).
Morchella-
Also known as morels, these very prized and tasty mushrooms are available raw.
Omphalotus-
This mushroom looks the same as the Chanterelle. It is extremely appealing in smell and appearance, but has a mild toxicity that will lead to vomiting and cramps.
Oyster-
Unlike other mushrooms, this one has no confusing look alikes, and is prized for that quality alone. Served raw or stuffed.
Porcini-
Also known as Boletus ("superior"), the porcini is highly regarded and is served raw or sautéed with butter.
Portabello-
While edible, this is either described as plain or only slightly sweet. Available raw or stuffed.
Psilocybin-
This mushroom is famed for its hallucinogenic effects, while lacking dangerous toxins. Available raw and dried.
Shiitake-
These mushrooms are normally added to ordered soups. Available dried or raw.

Drink Additives
Buy them for your drink, or for someone else's drink... everything goes here.

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Doze Pill-
A combination of magical energies and herbs guaranteed to put the drinker to sleep in a few minutes.
Hanger's Drop-
Ask for this in someone's drink to put them six feet under. Commonly means poison, though other methods can be bought depending on the target.
Happy Juice-
As seen in Malleo's shop. Turns the hair pink, and makes the drinker extremely happy.
Wonder Trip-
A mixture of magic and poison that causes extreme hallucinations and delirium which are not directly harmful or toxic.

Other Additives are available, you just have to ask.

Other Drugs
If it doesn't get you drunk, and it isn't a mushroom... we still sell it.

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Arhtorvin
A gray powder made by different magic plants, Arthorvin is extremely calming. It is ingested, and numbs emotions and reactions.
Baccaran
A paste made of numerous, undisclosed substances, this is a mild hallucinogen that becomes more powerful as it is used in repetition and increased dosage.
Dreammist
This drug is formed into a tea, and then the vapors are inhaled. It causes incredibly beautiful and wonderful hallucinations that make the world seem dull in comparison. Overdose is extremely debilitating, as is directly drinking the substance.
Devilweed
A tobacco-like substance that is moderately addictive and makes the smoker skittish and more easily confused. Users enjoy it because it glazes over the memories of whatever happens during its effective.
Luhix
A powder made from plants grown in the abyss. It is sprinkled on self inflicted wounds- initially it causes intense pain, then numbs the body entirely. It is one of the most addictive substances known amongst the planes, but overdosing even a little may cause terrible, painful death.
Mertoran Leaf
This leaf is dried and treated. It is not very addictive, but it is cheap, popular, and boosts confidence. Ingested, not smoked.
Redflower Leaves
These leaves are only moderately addictive, but are known to give a boost to hand-eye coordination, making them popular among those who often engage in knife tossing or dart throwing. They are consumed raw and chewed.
Sannish
This blue liquid is made out of unknown ingredients and causes euphoria. It has a tendency to stain flesh and anything else it touches. Overdosing causes intense numbness.

This is by no means the limit of what we can get our hands on, just ask and we'll see what we can do.

Games
As a new addition to the Black Dragon's Den, there is a back room where all kinds of gaming take place. Goblins generally oversee the games and make sure things are fair... but everyone here can be bribed. Best to keep an eye on things yourself.

Card Games
-Coming Soon-

Dice Games
We provide all of the dice used here... unless you slip them out of our sleeve. "Better" dice can be bought with a quiet word and a few coin, though we don't provide protection from those who find out that you've used them.

Coin Pass

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This is a simple dice game played with a pair of six sided dice, and is generally best with four or more players.
Each player puts out two coins (generally one type of coin is chosen, copper, silver, gold, or platinum) and then, in turn, each player rolls the dice.
If a player rolls a one, they take one of their coins and place it in the pot.
If a player rolls a six, they take one of their coins and pass it to the person on the left. This continues until only one player has coins, at which time they take the pot.
If a player has no coins left, they have one round to wait for someone to pass them a coin (by roll of a six), after which they can buy their way back in. You can only buy your way back into a game once.

Serpent's Eyes

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This game is played with a pair of six sided dice, and a game board in the shape of the world serpent.

Before the game begins, the number of rounds to play are determined, though the game may end ahead of time, or when one player runs out of coins/chips. Generally people play with a large number of rounds (double digits).
A round is completed once every player has rolled the dice once.
The dice start with the player closest to the seven on the board.
When a player rolls the dice, he does one of three things.
If he rolls any number 3-11, he places a coin on the corresponding number on the board, or, if the number is already filled with coins, they take the coins off of that number.
If he rolls a 2, he places a coin on every number on the board.
If he rolls a 12, he takes all coins from the board.

Warship

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This game is played with five dice for each player. The person who rolls first is normally determined randomly.
The goal of the game is to create the best 'ship', where a 'ship' is a straight formed either forwards (1,2,3) or backwards (3,2,1). To create a straight, you roll the dice, and choose anywhere from 0-3 numbers from them. Your first chosen die is your starting number (IE, a number on either end of a straight), the second die chosen has to be the middle number of your straight, and the third die chosen is the last of your straight.
You have three rolls of the dice to form a straight. Whenever you choose one of these die, you remove it from the dice you roll to get the next number.
The game progresses like this:
1) Each player places an amount of money agreed on when the game starts.
2) Each player rolls the dice once, chooses any dice from their roll that they want, then either adds in the money first agreed on again, or passes from the game, but leaves any money they first bet in the pot (Note that everyone can see what die you have chosen, if you have chosen a die already).
3) Repeat the second step once more, then every player rolls the dice once more, and the person with the ship with the highest straight wins. If someone creates a ship one the first or second roll, they still bet, but do not have to roll until the last round (which is only done in case of ties).

If no one has a straight, the winner is based on the person with the highest number set aside (with only players with dice set aside competing). If there is a tie in highest numbers, they go to the second die set aside (with only players with two dice competing). If there is a tie between set aside die, they proceed with the same process into the dice they last rolled (excluding those set aside)

If two people have the same straight, they compare the numbers rolled on their last turn (not including the ones placed into their "ship"). The person with the highest numbers wins.

The winner takes all money in the pot. Generally, more than one game is played at once.

Other Games
These may be more or less 'games' as such... but are just as entertaining.

Darts

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Bet on how well someone will throw, whether they can do it with their eyes closed... with their left hand... or if they can dodge a knife- it's all good. There are a few different dart boards, so any number of rings and scoring areas can be played with.

Knife Fights

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We hold knife fights here every once in a while, down in the basement. To surrender or death. Place your bets, folks.
-No current list of PC fighters. Contact management to arrage something 'formal.'

Previous Threads

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The Black Dragon's Den
The Black Dragon's Den II
The Black Dragon's Den III
The Black Dragon's Den IV
The Black Dragon's Den V
The Black Dragon's Den VI
The Black Dragon's Den VII
The Black Dragon's Den VIII
The Black Dragon's Den IX
The Black Dragon's Den X

[FireFox]

I thought it was someone else, but I went ahead and had Rein say it was the same person to sound more impressive.

"And? I mean, I'm a professional thief. A one of a kind, Treasure Hunter Extraordinaire. What did you expect?" He giggles a little at her reaction. "I might not have filled out one of your god forms, but I'm a more than powerful man in my own right."

"Besides, you guys don't know how to keep secrets like I do. Your family didn't even notice I went missing for a year I'm so good at secrets."

... Well since you obviously know all the secrets worth anything, what do you even want the Eye for?

[Reinholdt]

"Well that's a misleading fallacy if ever I heard one..."

"Besides, I can think of a thousand and one incredible reasons to use such a device. A million and one ways to exploit it to the detriment of Vulpania and Tobias. Let's just say I find it far too risky to just pass out."

[FireFox]

So... Wait a minute... Let's get this straight... Callie screws up her face in exaggerated concentration. You... are keeping Vulpania safe... from me?
...
I give up. She starts to leave, looking like she's not sure if she finds this funny or annoying.

[Reinholdt]

"Not you my dear." Reinholdt elaborates. "The company you keep."

[FireFox]

The foxgirl pauses for a moment. Fair enough. I don't want them to even know about it. But, unless stopped, she'll walk out of the room.

[Reinholdt]

"Aren't you curious about statue girl?" Reinholdt calls out, desperately trying to save this from being a total wipe out.

[FireFox]

Yeah, be sure to tell me how that turns out. Also, to answer your earlier question... yes. There, not a total wipe out.

[Reinholdt]

Well that's not awash in mixed feelings and messages!
Rein really expected no less, admittedly.
He smiles warmly at Callie. "I'm glad. See you soon then. I'll be sure to let you know how the pranking turned out."

[FireFox]

Callie quickly makes her exit before Rein can see her blushing. This way she can at least pretend to be dignified.

[Reinholdt]

Welp.
There's only one way to react to all this.

That's to get involved with another girl!
>>

Reinholdt pulls screaming statue girl he found in HALO's vault out of his pocket and restores her size, makes sure the back room door is shut, and then uses his stone to flesh wand.

[FireFox]

Reinholdt is a player!

The statue is turned into a woman! She's not screaming, but only because her lungs have no air in them. She falls to her knees and gasps like a caught fish.

[Reinholdt]

YOU LIE!!! LYING!! WHEN WILL THE LIES END?!!

"Take a moment. Deep breaths. You're safe." Reinholdt says, kneeling down by her and checking her over for any injuries he might need to be aware of.

[FireFox]

There are no external injuries, but when the woman realizes she's naked and alone with a strange man she leaps back before he can touch her. Who are you? Where am I?

[Reinholdt]

Being naked counts as an obvious injury. Probably the type you should hear about before kneeling nearby. =x

Reinholdt offers her a large blanket for the moment, averting his eyes. "Reinholdt, Treasure Hunter Extraordinaire." Reinholdt somehow manages to pull off his flourish. "We're at an inn. I liberated your statue from a treasure vault." Hooray for wealth redistribution!

[FireFox]

My... my what? She quickly wraps the blanket around herself and tucks in the edge so she has her hands free. Her eyes dart around the room and her feet shift to an evenly balanced position, a fighting stance that doesn't look like a fighting stance.

[Reinholdt]

"Your statue." Reinholdt emphasizes again.

"The type of thing you'd expect with a medusa from legend. Fortunately, being the incredible Treasure Hunter Extraordinaire that I am, I had a cure. What's the last thing that you remember?" Reinholdt doesn't recognize half of the fighting stances that look like them, let alone one that doesn't.

[FireFox]

The woman frowns and thinks back. Then her eyes widen with the same horror that was frozen on her face for who knows how long. The dragon! We were fighting a dragon!

[Reinholdt]

"And did this dragon have statues just like you littering its cave and/or have powerful magic at its disposal?"

[FireFox]

There weren't any statues, but of course it had powerful magic. She shakes her head slowly.

[Reinholdt]

"Now that's just racist." Reinholdt proclaims with disdain.

"Does this dragon have a name? Maybe if I do some cross referencing I can find out how many years you've been a statue. Actually, now that I mention it, do you have a name?"

[FireFox]

I am Wu Mei. After a few more seconds crawl by, it becomes obvious that that is all she is going to tell him. She clearly isn't quick to trust.

[Reinholdt]

"... Right. The dragon is a nameless fiend who lived thousands of years ago. Welcome to the future then Wu Mei! This is a gun. Don't touch." Reinholdt points over his shoulder with his thumb at his sniper rifle.

"Regardless, we need to get you some proper clothes. How do you feel about t-shirt and jeans?" Reinholdt doesn't have much else that would suffice.

Or doesn't know he does at any rate.

[FireFox]

I... don't know what those are. But she shrugs. Any clothes at all would be preferable to walking around wrapped in a blanket.

[Reinholdt]

"Yeeeep. Going to be one of those." Anyways, Reinholdt pulls out the aforementioned clothing out of his hammerspace and offers it to her, as well as turning away if she doesn't find some private place to change. Not that anything's guaranteed to fit. "Guess we're going shopping after this."

[FireFox]

Wu Mei quickly changes into the clothes and then starts stretching. The shirt seems fine, but she has to roll up the pants legs. A belt would also help.

[Reinholdt]

Belt? Who uses those?

Fine... Reinholdt gets her a belt once he notices she might need one or she brings it up.

"You some sort of martial artist or brawler?"

[FireFox]

Belts are great for holding knives and multi-tools and CCW holsters. >.>

Yes, I am a martial artist who practices a style of my own creation. Which is greatly superior to the older Huang style. She proudly states. ... Not that you know what that is.

[Reinholdt]

"I'm more of a shoot them in the head kind of guy. But I have been taking some martial arts/knife lessons recently. Just in case." Also boredom.

"You ready to go to... the Mall?" Not that you know what that is.

[FireFox]

Sure, why not? Wu Mei shrugs again.